14 October 2025 The Future is the Product of the Past

The Oldest-Known Center of Prophecy “Claros”

Claros is an ancient Ionian settlement located in the hamlet of Ahmetbeyli near Ozdere, approximately 50 kilometers south of Izmir.

Some historians believe the site’s name originates from the Hellenic language, which signified “land” or “future guessing,” while others believe it derives from the Luwi language, which means “coast” or “pier” in Anatolian.

Claros, in reality, was erected by the sea as an “oracle center” for the city of Kolophon, one of the Aegean’s 12 Ionian towns.

During the Hellenistic period, in addition to the cult of Apollo Clarios, there was a large temple used for reading deity Apollo’s oracles, similar to Delphi and Didyma. This center was looked after by the nearby Greek colonies of Notion and Colophon.  Claros also hosted a sporting event called Claria, which was held every five years in honor of Apollo.

History

In the form of Homeric Hymns, the earliest evidence concerning the oracle at Claros goes back to the 7th century BC. These were thirty-three anonymous Ancient Greek poems honoring the gods of the Greek pantheon. The old legend ascribed them to Homer, who was born in neighboring Colophon, according to some academics.



📣 Our WhatsApp channel is now LIVE! Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates, just click here to follow us on WhatsApp and never miss a thing!!



A view of the ruins of Claros
A view of the ruins of Claros.

The holy cave, located near the temple of Apollo, suggests that the religious center in Claros existed much earlier. It is thought that before the advent of Greek settlers, it was a center of worship for the goddess Cybele.

Archaeological studys has shown that the oldest shards of Protogeometric pottery discovered at Claros date back to the 10th century BC.

The Claros oracle was of greatest importance in the Hellenistic and Roman periods when most of the preserved buildings were erected. In Roman times, that is, from the end of the 2nd century BC, Claros attracted pilgrims from all over the Mediterranean region. The importance of the sanctuary has been confirmed by archaeological evidence, including four rows of iron hoops, to which sacrificed animals were attached. This solution allowed the simultaneous sacrifice of a hundred animals, and Claros is now a unique archaeological site of the ancient Greek civilization, offering a clear picture of how the hecatomb was carried out.

A view of the ruins of Claros.

Unlike most oracles in the Greek world, only men were employed as soothsayers at Claros. They entered the cave or room under the Temple of Apollo, and after drinking the holy water, they made suggestions in the form of poetry. This ritual always took place at night. There are no inscriptions containing divination information in Claros, but many of them have been found elsewhere, even in remote corners of the world, including Dalmatia, Algeria, Rome, England, Russia, and Sardinia.

Claros’ most noteworthy and well-preserved divinations are linked to historical figures. Alexander of Macedon consulted this oracle and chose to build a stronghold on Pagos hill based on the advice he got. Residents who were relocated from Smyrna built a new city on its slopes. Germanicus, the adoptive son of Roman Emperor Tiberius, on the other hand, learned in Claros that his future is bleak. In reality, he died just a year later, at the age of 34, in Syrian Antioch (Antakya), from sickness or poisoning by a jealous ruler of Syria.

the statues replicas unearthed at Claros in the site's arkeopark.
the statues replicas unearthed at Claros in the site’s arkeopark.

The Apollonian cult of Claros, according to Homeros, goes back to the 7th or 6th century BC. Pirates pillaged the temple, and the site was demolished during the third century. Many of Kolophon’s people fled the region during the Roman period, thus Claros lost its prominence as a cult and was silted up by the river.

Rediscovery of Claros

Claros was discovered for the first time in 1905. The columns of the propylon (monumental gates) at the beginning of the holy route were discovered buried in a field due to silting from the Ales (today’s Avci) river. The propylon dates from the second century BC and is built in the Doric style on a square grid, with three rows of steps leading to the entrance.Inscriptions adorn the walls of the building. The propylon served as an entryway for guests arriving by sea and connected the dock to the temple through a holy path. On both sides of this avenue, there were sculptures and inscriptions of historical figures.

Despite being 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Izmir’s city center, Claros has a high tourism potential and receives an average of 2,500-3,000 visitors throughout the summer months.

Cover Photo: Gezipedia

Related Articles

Fossils of sea creatures 35 million years old discovered in eastern Turkey

17 August 2021

17 August 2021

In Turkey’s eastern province of Mus, a team of researchers discovered fossils of sea creatures estimated to be 35 million...

Discoveries on the island of Minorca shed light on the history of Roman conquests in the Balearic Islands

31 July 2021

31 July 2021

The University of Alicante Institute for Archeology and Historical Heritage (INAPH) Researchs discovered a collection of buried Roman antiquities going...

Aldi construction uncovered Roman mosaic in UK

18 March 2023

18 March 2023

A team of Oxford Archaeology archaeologists discovered a Roman mosaic in the market town of Olney, Buckinghamshire, England. Ahead of...

Hellenic and Roman statue heads unearthed in Knidos

9 December 2021

9 December 2021

Hellenic and Roman sculpture heads were unearthed in the ancient Carian settlement Knidos, located in the Datça district of Muğla...

A female executive’s seal from 3000 years ago was discovered in Turkey

29 October 2021

29 October 2021

During the excavations carried out in southeastern Turkey’s Gaziantep’s Karkamış (Carchemish) Ancient City, seals and prints determined to belong to...

The 8,000-year-old Aslantepe in Turkey has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List

26 July 2021

26 July 2021

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Monday that a rich, 30-meter-high archaeological mound going back 8,000 years in southern Turkey has...

Kevenli Castle Reveals Van’s Largest Ancient Urartian Storage Center – 76 Pithoi Marked with Cuneiform Measurements Found

7 September 2025

7 September 2025

Excavations at the ruins of Kevenli Castle in Van’s İpekyolu district have brought to light the largest known storage center...

A first in 35 years! Child grave with bracelets and gifts found in ancient city of Kelenderis

25 June 2022

25 June 2022

During this year’s excavations in the ancient city of Kelenderis, founded on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of...

40 Skeletons in Giant Jars Found in the Corsica Necropolis

16 May 2021

16 May 2021

Archaeologists working on the French island of Corsica discovered around 40 ancient graves where persons were buried inside gigantic jars...

8,000-year-old Musical Instrument found in northwest Turkey

4 July 2021

4 July 2021

Archaeologists in northwestern Turkey’s Bilecik on Tuesday discovered a musical instrument that dates back to an estimated 8,000 years. During...

Roman Wooden Cellar Found in Frankfurt, Germany

28 February 2024

28 February 2024

Archaeologists from the Frankfurt Archaeological Museum have recently uncovered a remarkably preserved wooden cellar in the Roman city of Nida...

Archaeologists conducting excavations at the Roman Fort of Apsaros in Georgia, found evidence of the Legion X Fretensis

27 May 2023

27 May 2023

Polish scientists discovered that Legion X Fretensis, known for its brutal suppression of Jewish uprisings, was stationed in the early...

2,000-Year-Old Roman Stele Decorated with an Eagle and Greek Inscriptions Found in Manbij, Syria

23 August 2025

23 August 2025

A striking Roman-era stele carved from black basalt, featuring a detailed eagle clutching a wreath and adorned with Greek inscriptions,...

A 1,700-year-old trident discovered in Assos ancient city in Türkiye

10 October 2023

10 October 2023

An iron trident, believed to be used for fishing, dating to the 3rd or 4th century A.D. has been discovered...

Excavation of the Temple of Athena Began in the Ancient City of Aigai

15 October 2021

15 October 2021

The foundations of the Temple of Athena were unearthed during the ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Aigai, located...